Chapter 343
In the past, Zhao Hui would always return home on time every day. Even if he couldn't make it back, he would have someone come and inform her.
But on this day, she waited in the courtyard until the moon had set, and he still hadn't returned.
Cheng's heart skipped a beat, and she called Granny Wang with a cold face.
Granny Wang entered the room in confusion, only to find that her mistress was already wearing a black cloak, concealing herself in the darkness, with only a cold face visible, looking like she was about to go out.
"Mistress, what are you doing?" Granny Wang asked, puzzled.
"Prepare the carriage," Cheng said.
"It's so late, Master will be back soon. Where does the mistress want to go?" Granny Wang replied.
Cheng sneered, "He probably won't be coming back tonight. Hurry up."
Helpless, Granny Wang went to prepare the carriage.
Just as Cheng stepped out of the door, Gu Ying had already changed her clothes and was also preparing to go out.
When Zhao Changdu returned, he saw the young girl dressed in night attire. Her black hair was tied up in a simple bun, held in place by an exquisite jade hairpin, and only her cold face was visible in the dim light. She looked like she was about to go out in a hurry.
He pulled her back firmly and spoke in a somewhat threatening tone, "Where are you going so late, Ayin?"
Gu Ying blinked her eyes, with a hint of cunning in them, "I'm going to see what Cheng is up to."
Zhao Changdu glanced at her displeasedly, "You're going like that with a big belly?"
"Otherwise, should I take off my belly?" Gu Ying pouted her red lips and placed her small hand on her swollen belly. "Besides, my belly isn't that big..."
"Foolish." The man tugged at her nose and instructed Huai An to bring the horse.
"It's quiet at night. Are you using the carriage to follow secretly, afraid that Cheng won't notice?" Gu Ying explained, "It's because of Nian that I didn't ride a horse." Zhao Changdu lifted his gaze and looked at her, saying, "How good is your horsemanship, Ayin?"
"I'm quite good at riding," she replied.
"Then, when Nian is born, I'll take you to the hunting grounds for a good horse race," he said.
Being able to race horses with the Eastern Li War God, what an honor it was!
Although Gu Ying was Zhao Changdu's wife, as soon as she heard that she could race horses after giving birth to a child, her eyes lit up, and she eagerly looked at his sharp and smooth jawline. "Alright, alright!"
A thick cushion was placed on the horse's back, and Zhao Changdu lifted the excited young girl and placed her on the horse. Then he mounted the horse himself, wrapping his long arms around her waist, resting his hand on her belly to hold the reins.
Gu Ying nestled in his embrace, feeling a sense of security on her back.
"Let's go."
The man gently pulled the reins, and the handsome black horse started walking slowly on the street. The speed was controlled perfectly, as if it knew that there was a pregnant woman sitting on its back, without any jolting.
Gu Ying tilted her head and her gaze fell on the man's well-defined slender fingers. These hands were incredibly beautiful, and every action of casually handling the reins was so seductive and enticing.
"Ado, why did you come back so late?"
"We had a conversation with His Majesty about the Qiang ethnic group. The border has been unstable lately, and my grandfather's health isn't as good as before. He doesn't have as much energy as he used to."
A faint smile appeared at the corner of Gu Ying's mouth. "Grandfather is getting old. It's time for him to retire and enjoy his remaining years."
The man responded in a gentle voice, "Hmm."
Gu Ying was taken aback for a moment, feeling a bit disappointed in her heart. She held his wrist with her small hand and gently exerted some force.
She knew that the Crown Prince wouldn't stay in Bianjing for much longer.
If she remembered correctly, in her previous life, the Qiang tribe made their final move around May or June of this year. It was the time when their grassland people were at their strongest, and their leader led the cavalry to repeatedly plunder food and women in ten cities of Bianjing, catching the border off guard.
Fortunately, the 100,000 Zhao Family Army under the Duke of Laoguo managed to withstand the powerful enemy.
But the remaining few cities were driven into chaos by the Qiang tribe, and the main general almost lost the city.
Emperor Tianqi was furious and ordered several main generals to fortify the cities and prevent the Qiang tribe from invading again. However, the Qiang tribe didn't care about these orders. In order to restore their tribes' vitality with food and grasslands, they would continue to raid the eastern border. In another month, the Crown Prince would lead the army to set out and provide support.
And then, the Crown Prince and his father would join forces to defeat the enemy, gaining fame in one battle. His father also made significant contributions in that battle and was praised by His Majesty. As a result, the Dongping Marquis's mansion also shared the glory. That victory was truly remarkable!
The Crown Prince and his father not only made the Qiang tribe abandon their armor and flee, but also brought back a surrender letter from the Qiang tribe and a princess for a peace marriage.
However, when the Crown Prince returned to Bianjing with the army, it was already the deep winter of December.
Gu Ying silently calculated the days and realized that Nian was probably born in September. If she tried her best and Nian patiently waited, at most, she could only wait until the end of October...
The Crown Prince probably wouldn't be able to be with her when she gave birth.
She sighed silently. She understood that she shouldn't ask the Crown Prince for anything for the sake of the country and righteousness. But this was the first time in her past and present lives that she was giving birth to a child, and her husband was not by her side. Her heart was inevitably filled with a sense of bitterness and worry.
Cheng's carriage slowly traveled through the street, with Zhao Changdu quietly riding a horse behind the carriage.
The night breeze was soft, swirling gently in people's hearts. Gu Ying felt a deep sorrow, remaining silent.
Zhao Changdu could sense the sudden melancholy in the young girl's mood. He turned his face and lowered his head to gaze at the tender and blushing cheeks in the night breeze.
The young girl was exceptionally beautiful, dressed in a black gown that accentuated her delicate and snowy complexion, with her dark hair cascading down. Her thick, black eyelashes fluttered like two small fans, giving her an extremely gentle appearance.
His large hand caressed her fingers, silently comforting her.
Resting his handsome face against her soft cheek, he spoke in a sexy and deep voice, "What's wrong?"
Gu Ying's face flushed, emitting a warm breath. She smiled and said, "It's nothing."
Zhao Changdu furrowed his brows slightly when he wanted to ask further, but Cheng's side had already gotten off the carriage.
The carriage came to a stop at the entrance of Ruyi Alley. Cheng, holding up her skirt, walked inside with the support of Granny Wang.
Gu Ying quickly dismounted from the horse and pulled the crown prince to hide at the mouth of the alley.
Zhao Changdu angrily glanced at the mischievous girl and reluctantly turned his gaze towards Cheng's departing figure. However, the more he looked, the colder his expression became.
...
Cheng could never have imagined that the Duke of State would actually come out from a woman's courtyard behind her back. Moreover, when he emerged, there was a contented smile on his face.
It was a comfort and ease that she hadn't seen on his face for a long time.
Furious, Cheng tightened her grip on Granny Wang's wrist.
Granny Wang winced in pain and took a breath, "Madam, don't be hasty... That person seems somewhat familiar to this servant... It seems like I've seen her somewhere."
Gritting her teeth, Cheng said, "How can she not be familiar? She's Yu Gu! She was staying at the Duke's residence not long ago, and she only recently moved out!"